November 2005

When New Life Providence Church (NLPC) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, conducted the first service in its new sanctuary on October 2, 2005, there were smiles, hugs, tears of joy, and prayers of thankfulness. These faithful church members had been rewarded with a beautiful facility on 13.5 acres that had been a Jewish school, in the heart of Virginia Beach. That this large piece of prime real estate located only two blocks from CBN was available for purchase was a testimony of God’s miraculous provision.

New Life Providence Church had been meeting for over six years at Indian River High School in Chesapeake , Virginia . Every Sunday an energetic, volunteer group of dedicated people arrived at 8 am in order to turn a school into a church. No one was more excited to get a new sanctuary than the set up crew—except maybe the children's ministry that had to turn hallways and offices into Sunday school rooms each week!

Five years ago Dan Backens, senior pastor, formed a building committee whose duties were to locate property upon which to build a 1000-seat sanctuary. This property needed to serve Providence's commitment to transethnicity, equipping, and community outreach. Many properties were considered, but they were all either too small, too expensive, or too far from our target area. When the present site was finally discovered, it seemed the purchase price greatly exceeded the members’ financial capacity—but with God all things are possible.

A two million dollar capital campaign was conducted during the first six months of 2004, and when $90,000 was still needed on the last day of the campaign to reach the goal, the membership responded by sacrificially raising nearly $200,000 more than what was required! The congregation was thrilled because they knew that God had given them an obvious sign of His blessing. People continue to talk about the singing, dancing, and rejoicing that took place at the conclusion of that service. Throughout the campaign Pastor Dan had boldly proclaimed that the church would trust God to help them accomplish His will “…not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” This was to prove the beginning of many miracles.

During the summer and fall of 2004, extensive remodeling took place in order to prepare the former Hebrew academy to accommodate the administrative offices, equipping wing, and children’s wing of the church. Since the primary values of New Life Providence are worship and prayer, the first room that was remodeled and opened for use was a beautiful 24/7 prayer room.

Since the Hebrew academy already had a multi-purpose room, classrooms, and an auditorium/gym, it was determined that a sanctuary would be constructed to be solely utilized as a place of worship, thus fulfilling the church's vision to build the Lord a house of prayer for all the nations. In the front of the sanctuary in large letters is the phrase that articulates the church's heart: "for every tribe, tongue and nation… Rev 14:6. "

Presently there are two services on Sunday mornings. The first service begins promptly at 9 am with the second beginning at 11 am. The new sanctuary and its accompanying facilities are abuzz with activity. With over 1300 people attending services on Sunday, October 30th, Providence has experienced significant growth in only one month since its opening. With normal church activities plus an extensive prayer ministry, singles’ ministry, and Bible School, the new building is being put to good use for the Lord! It is an exciting place to be.

Two partnerships where formed during the course of developing the site project that are God things. First, the Bank of Hampton Roads, which loaned several million dollars to buy the property, allowed the church to develop a cut-through into its parking lot providing the church significant additional parking free of charge. Also, Sandler Development Corporation entered into an agreement with the church to construct a joint water drainage pond that could serve their new housing development and the needs of the church. This too saved thousands of dollars.

From the onset of the project, the leadership of the church determined that much effort would be put forth to keep communication open between construction workers, building contractors, architects, bankers, landscapers and church members. Meetings were held on a regular basis between various parties to ensure that everyone was “on the same page.” Furthermore, people were encouraged to maintain an attitude that believed the best in one another. Suspicions, doubts, and uncertainties were resisted and replaced with patience and grace. As in every project of this scope, there were of course some miscommunications. Yet even in these the Lord gave remarkable peace and joy. For this reason, many of the construction workers expressed interest in attending services in the new sanctuary!

During the course of the past two years, people have prayed, sacrificed, and given of their time, effort, talents, and money in order to build a church home. It has always been the vision of NLPC that no one would get left behind. Everyone is significant and has an opportunity to participate in implementing the message of grace that permeates the atmosphere of the church. Needless to say, joy fills the heart of everyone at NLPC when they see what God has done by His Spirit.

                  

Finally, it was the people’s dedication to press through in prayer that made it possible for the vision to come to pass. Everything is exceeding expectations: favor with the Bank, generous subcontractors, unexpected cost savings, remarkable growth in attendance and a tangible momentum in the Spirit.

Providence does desire to grow. As the Lord guides and provides, the future plan is to build a larger sanctuary that can be added to the present sanctuary. As the members of Providence continue to demonstrate the message of God's grace, manifest servants’ hearts, and intercede for God’s purposes to be done, truly great things can be accomplished for God’s glory.

Click here to learn more about New Life Providence Church